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Imagine the situation: the kids are in the back playing their game systems, reading, arguing or napping among the piles of backpacks and suitcases. The family dog is enjoying the wind whipping through his slobber, when suddenly smoke begins billowing from under the hood. The check engine light comes on and you pull over. You are driving across the country and are a hundred miles from the next city and you need car repair. Browse this site listing about 24 hour towing sandia heights

Unfortunately, this scenario may seem all too familiar to some of us. It is likely we have all been in a situation where our truck or van has acted up and left us stranded. We rely on roadside assistance to help us out. During a family vacation, when things are already tight monetarily, the last thing you want to do is pay a hefty sum to a tow truck.

When planning your next family vacation, give yourself a few extra weeks cushion to take the family vehicle in for maintenance. You may be able to have it in and out of the shop in a matter of minutes with no major car repair. However, the extra time gives you that cushion in case there are some problems and the shop needs to keep it for a few days.

There are some general maintenance things that you can do leading up to the vacation to prevent car repair. Check the tires. First of all, if the tread seems low or overly worn in places consider getting them replaced before the trip. It is important to drive with tires that have good tread and are evenly worn. If one tire in particular is showing more wear than the other tires, you could have a serious and potentially dangerous situation on your hands.

If the tires are fine and aired-up, the next thing you want to do is change the oil. This may be a job for the mechanic and certainly they are able to complete the task very quickly. If it has been somewhere between three thousand to six thousand miles since your last oil change, you will want to not only change the oil but also the filter. This is vital to keeping your engine healthy and should be done before long trips. A good oil change is the first step in preventing major car repair.

You may also want to store a small road emergency kit. The kit should have everything from blankets, water and snacks to your vehicle’s warranty information and any emergency roadside phone numbers you made need. In the event that you do have an emergency, you will want to have these numbers handy so you can call and give your information, including location, make, model, year and description of the vehicle.

During any car’s lifespan, a number of repairs and maintenance tasks must be completed in order to keep the vehicle running as smoothly as possible. Some of these tasks are less essential, like cosmetic and bodywork, while some are vital, including oil changes, brake repair, headlight and taillight replacement, spark plug replacement, and others. Proper car repair is a necessity to keeping your vehicle safe, sound, and running.

A good, qualified mechanic is your best friend when it comes to car repair. Get to know your mechanic well, as a mechanic who consistently works on your automobile is more valuable than a series of mechanics who aren’t sure of your vehicle’s history. Of course, make sure that your mechanic is doing the work correctly and as you need it, and isn’t attempting to charge you extra for work that doesn’t need to be done. If you establish a good working relationship with your mechanic, they’ll be able to repair your vehicle when necessary, and they’ll understand your history as a driver and your vehicle’s history as well.

Whenever you bring your car to your mechanic for routine maintenance or other car repair, make sure to ask him or her to double check a number of things, including fluids, tire pressure, and the air filter. Sometimes a problem may not be very apparent during a routine checkup, and it is only after a thorough check at the customer’s request that an issue may be discovered. This way you know your mechanic isn’t necessarily looking for problems to charge you more money, but is making sure your vehicle is safe at your request. Most mechanics perform those extra checks as a courtesy and you should not be charged extra for their time.

If you end up needing serious car repair, it’s best to bring your vehicle to the appropriate shop. For instance, a body shop is best for cosmetic and structural issues, while a simple lube shop is best for an oil change. There are specific brake, exhaust, and transmission specialists who can help you with those particular issues, as they may require an extra level of expertise to fix. Also, there are specific shops that will work only with domestic or foreign automobiles, as foreign cars often require specific parts and knowledge of their systems. Be sure you communicate as best you can with your mechanic concerning what issues you may be having, as it may not be as easy for them to find the problem, as they don’t drive your vehicle every day.

As fiscally responsible adults, we have a tendency to hold on to our cash whenever possible. Unfortunately, this sometimes means making unwise decisions regarding car repair. Fixing your automobile when something is wrong isn’t a luxury—it is a responsibility that must be taken seriously. It’s natural to have a certain hesitancy to bring your automobile into the mechanic—especially if you don’t have a regular one you can trust. It can be expensive. Nonetheless, you owe it to your passengers, the other drivers on the road, and yourself to get problems fixed as soon as possible. Here are four issues that should never be ignored.

Shaking While Driving

No, not you! If you’re shaking while driving, you should probably pull over, but that’s another story altogether. But if your vehicle is starting to shake while heading down the road, it could be a sign that car repair is needed. It could be minor (you need a wheel alignment or have a flat tire) or it could be serious. Either way, this isn’t a determination you want to make on your own. Vehicle owners have a tendency to downplay the warning signs their cars are giving them. Don’t do this. Let a mechanic take a look.

Warning Lights

Those lights aren’t there to provide extra illumination on a dark night. They aren’t there as “suggestions”. When a warning light on your dash comes on, it means you need to consult your owner’s manual. A light such as Check Engine can mean numerous things. The weird thing about today’s vehicles is that they are governed by complicated computer systems. It takes a computer to talk to the car and determine what the problem really is. Chances are, you don’t own such a computer, so bring it in to a mechanic and find out what car repair needs to be done.

Brakes

You are endangering yourself and others if your drive with brake problems. A little squealing in the morning can be safely ignored for a while, but if you are hearing a high pitched squeal every time you bring the vehicle to a stop, it’s time for car repair. The same goes for a knocking sound, grinding, or any other sounds that weren’t there when you drove the vehicle off the sales lot. Don’t take chances with bad brakes.